148: Chapter 148 Time Stopped?!

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Hanyue Shelter, Command Center.

Chen Hanyue stood in front of the holographic projection, her eyes focused as she operated the Starlink Terminal.

Her management skills were fully displayed at this moment.

In just two short hours, she had established a complete hierarchical communication system.

Each core member of the Shelter was equipped with a Starlink Terminal, with permissions divided according to their rank.

Commander-level could issue orders to everyone.

Captain-level could manage their own squads.

Ordinary members could only receive information and report situations.

The entire system was orderly and incredibly efficient.

"Leader Chen, the East District Patrol is fully equipped!"

"The West District Defense Group is also finished!"

"The South District..."

One report after another came through the Starlink Terminal.

Chen Hanyue looked at the green signal dots displayed on the holographic projection, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

In just two hours, Hanyue Shelter had established a communication network covering the entire territory!

In the Apocalypse, this was practically a miracle!

"Very good."

Chen Hanyue's voice reached the ears of every member through the Starlink Terminal.

Of course, these were all her core subordinates.

All of them, big and small, possessed Superpowers.

As for those ordinary people, it was impossible to let them use them for free.

Only through temptation would they strive upward.

Only then would the Shelter's strength steadily improve.

"From now on, everyone must take good care of their Starlink Terminals. These are treasures bestowed upon us by the Master. If anyone dares to lose or leak them, they will be executed without mercy!"

Her cold voice made all the members shudder.

They knew that Leader Chen never joked.

"Yes!"

A unified response rang out.

Chen Hanyue closed the communication and turned to look at Lin Yuan, who was standing to the side.

"Master, the communication network has been established."

Her eyes held a hint of admiration and pride:

"Now, the command efficiency of the entire Shelter has increased by at least tenfold!"

Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

As expected of Chen Hanyue.

Her management ability was indeed top-tier.

"Well done."

He walked to Chen Hanyue's side and reached out to pat her shoulder.

"Keep it up, and I will give you more resources."

Chen Hanyue's cheeks flushed slightly.

The Master's praise...

It caused an indescribable joy to surge in her heart.

This feeling was very strange.

Clearly, she had once been so arrogant and defiant.

But now...

She actually felt happy just because of a single word of praise from Lin Yuan?

Chen Hanyue bit her lip.

She knew she was slowly falling.

Falling into the hands of this powerful, mysterious, and charming man.

Just then—

"Report!"

The voice of a Female Guard came through the Starlink Terminal.

"Leader Chen, there is a military squad outside the Shelter gates requesting an audience! The one leading them is... Captain Qin Ziyan!"

Qin Ziyan?

Lin Yuan's brow arched.

That righteous Police Flower soldier?

Why was she here?

Chen Hanyue was also somewhat surprised and looked at Lin Yuan:

"Master, should we see them?"

"See them."

A flash of interest crossed Lin Yuan's eyes:

"I'd like to see what this little Police Flower wants from me."

...

At the Shelter's main gate.

Qin Ziyan stood outside with five military soldiers.

She was in uniform, looking valiant and heroic, with a pistol hanging at her waist, her entire being radiating a sharp military aura.

Tall with a curvaceous figure, her golden ratio proportions made the military uniform look exceptionally alluring.

On that exquisite face, her features were as picturesque as a painting, and her eyes were firm, radiating a sense of justice.

"Captain, this Hanyue Shelter seems very strong..."

A soldier looked at the Shelter before them and couldn't help but exclaim.

Three layers of defensive walls, numerous watchtowers, and well-trained patrol squads.

How was this a small Shelter?

It was clearly a militarized medium-sized base!

"It is very strong."

Qin Ziyan's gaze was complex.

The last time she came, this was just a small outpost.

In just a few short days, it had actually developed to this scale?

Behind this...

There must be Lin Yuan's shadow.

Thinking of Lin Yuan, complex emotions surged in Qin Ziyan's heart.

Lin Yuan could be said to be someone who frequently appeared in her mind.

This made her unsure of what her feelings for Lin Yuan actually were.

"Captain Qin!"

A Female Guard walked out and said respectfully:

"Leader Chen invites you in."

Qin Ziyan nodded and led her squad into the Shelter.

Along the way, she observed the changes here.

Well-equipped guards.

Orderly management.

And...

Those silver-white devices the guards were holding?

What was that?

Qin Ziyan's eyes narrowed.

That device looked very advanced; it definitely wasn't ordinary supplies.

Could it be...

Provided by Lin Yuan again?

This was the first reaction in Qin Ziyan's mind.

Or rather, her subconscious felt this was Lin Yuan's doing.

...

Meeting room.

When Qin Ziyan pushed the door open and entered, she immediately saw Lin Yuan sitting in the main seat.

Seeing him again after several days, this man still had that calm and composed appearance.

Handsome features, deep eyes, and that reassuringly powerful aura.

Qin Ziyan's heart inexplicably quickened.

"Lin Yuan!"

She forced herself to remain calm, but her voice was still slightly unnatural.

Lin Yuan looked at her, a smile playing on his lips:

"Captain Qin, long time no see."

"I was just planning to look for you, I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my door."

Qin Ziyan's cheeks flushed slightly.

Why did that sound so strange?

What did he mean by "deliver yourself to my door"...

"Ahem."

She coughed lightly, regaining her military seriousness:

"Lin Yuan, I've come on official business this time."

"Oh?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, "What official business?"

Qin Ziyan took a deep breath, her expression becoming serious:

"The threat of the Snow Egg King is expanding infinitely."

"According to the latest military reconnaissance, the Snow Egg King's hatching progress has exceeded 80%, and the surrounding Creep expansion range has reached ten kilometers!"

"And..."

She paused, her tone becoming even more solemn:

"We've discovered that the Snow Egg King is gathering all the surrounding Snow Beasts. Conservatively estimated, at least over a hundred thousand Snow Beasts have gathered in the Core Zone!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became heavy.

Chen Hanyue's expression changed slightly.

A hundred thousand Snow Beasts?

If a beast tide broke out, the entire Jiang City would be finished!

"And so?"

Lin Yuan, however, appeared very calm, even somewhat indifferent.

Seeing him like this, Qin Ziyan felt both shocked and worried.

"So the military is requiring all Shelters to retreat to the Safety Zones!"

She looked at Lin Yuan seriously:

"Lin Yuan, once the Snow Egg King fully hatches, the entire Jiang City will be in danger! You must retreat!"

"Retreat?"

Lin Yuan laughed, a flash of disdain in his eyes:

"Why should I retreat?"

Qin Ziyan was stunned: "Because... it's very dangerous!"

"Dangerous?"

Lin Yuan stood up and walked over to Qin Ziyan.

The two were very close; Qin Ziyan could even smell the scent on Lin Yuan.

Her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced.

"Qin Ziyan."

Lin Yuan looked at her with sharp eyes:

"Do you think I would be afraid of that unhatched Snow Egg King?"

Qin Ziyan was so shocked by his gaze that she couldn't speak.

That confidence, that dominance...

It was as if he truly didn't care about the Snow Egg King at all!

"But..."

She bit her lower lip, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes:

"That's still five thousand Snow Beasts after all... no matter how strong you are, it's impossible..."

"Impossible?"

Lin Yuan interrupted her, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The next second—

Buzz—!!

An invisible ripple erupted from Lin Yuan's body!

Space... solidified!

The space in the entire meeting room was instantly imprisoned!

Qin Ziyan's pupils suddenly contracted!

Her body... couldn't move!

Not just her, but Chen Hanyue, Xia Bingli, Xia Muqing, and the five military soldiers Qin Ziyan had brought...

Everyone was frozen in place!

As if time had stopped!

"This... this is..."

Qin Ziyan's eyes were full of horror.

She could think, she could blink, she could speak.

But her body... was completely unable to move!

Like being tightly bound by invisible shackles!

"Space Ability."

Lin Yuan said indifferently, his eyes as calm as water:

What?!

Space Ability?!

Qin Ziyan's mind went blank!

Space Ability...

That was one of the rarest legendary Superpowers!

Qin Ziyan gritted her teeth, frantically mobilizing the Lightning Ability within her body!

Zzt zzt zzt—!!

Blue electric arcs flickered on her body!

She was a B-Class Lightning Ability User!

An elite soldier of the military!

She didn't believe she couldn't even break free!

Qin Ziyan was drenched in sweat, her entire Lightning Ability erupting frantically!

The electric arcs became denser and more dazzling!

Her whole person was like a thunder god descended to earth!

But...

It was useless.

Completely useless.

No matter how she struggled, no matter how her Superpower erupted...

That force imprisoning her didn't budge an inch.

Like an ant trying to shake a mountain.

A futile effort.

Qin Ziyan's face turned pale, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Her B-Class Lightning Ability...

Could actually not even manage to break free?!

This... just what level of power was this?!

Lin Yuan watched her struggle, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Now, do you still think I need to retreat?"

With a wave of his hand, the spatial imprisonment was instantly released.

Everyone regained their ability to move.

Qin Ziyan stumbled back two steps, nearly falling.

She panted heavily, her eyes full of shock, horror, and...

A trace of indescribable admiration!

Too strong...

This man... was despairingly strong!

In front of him...

She was like a toy!

To the side, Chen Hanyue bit her lip hard.

She had also been imprisoned just now.

As a powerful Ability User, she was equally unable to resist.

That feeling of being completely controlled...

Made her feel both fear and... excitement?

No.

Not fear.

It was awe.

Awe for the strong.

Awe for the Master.

A strange light flashed in Chen Hanyue's eyes.

Xia Bingli's reaction was even more complex.

She was a top-tier assassin, best at catching an enemy's flaws.

But just now...

She didn't even have a chance to react!

The moment the space was imprisoned, she was completely controlled!

This man...

Was absolutely the best person to rescue her sister!

And the person with the highest success rate!

Thinking of this, the look in her eyes as she watched Lin Yuan changed.

No longer just pure hatred and humiliation.

Instead...

A trace of awe.

A trace of awe for an absolute powerhouse.

After all, her profession was an assassin, and she held respect for the strong!

The white bar above her head was lightening at a speed visible to the naked eye.

From a hint of blue, it turned completely blue!

The five military soldiers Qin Ziyan had brought were all pale-faced now.

They were also Ability Users.

But under that spatial imprisonment just now...

They couldn't even put up a hint of resistance!

"Captain..."

One soldier's voice trembled:

"This... this person... is he really human?"

Qin Ziyan bit her lip and didn't answer.

In her mind, there was only one thought:

Lin Yuan...

Just how strong have you become?

"Lin Yuan..."

Qin Ziyan looked at him, her eyes complex:

"You... do you really have the confidence to deal with the Snow Egg King?"

"Of course."

Lin Yuan smiled confidently:

"Not only do I have the confidence to deal with it, I also plan to... kill it with my own hands."

Qin Ziyan sucked in a breath of cold air.

This man...

Was serious!

He really planned to hunt the Snow Egg King!

"I understand."

Qin Ziyan took a deep breath, her eyes firm:

"Since you're confident, then I won't say any more."

"However..."

She paused, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes:

"You must be careful."

Lin Yuan looked at the worry in her eyes and felt secretly amused.

B-Class Crisis Insight automatically activated.

The blue above Qin Ziyan's head was flickering with a faint green light.

"Don't worry."

Lin Yuan smiled and patted her shoulder:

"I'll be fine."

Qin Ziyan's cheeks flushed, and she quickly took a step back.

This distance... was too close...

"Ahem, then I'll be leaving first."

She forced herself to remain calm and turned to leave.

...

At the Shelter entrance.

Lin Yuan looked at Su Waner standing to the side, his eyes gentle:

"Waner, you stay here for now. Han Yue will take care of you."

A hint of reluctance flashed in Su Waner's eyes.

She wanted to follow Lin Yuan.

But she knew she was too weak and would only be a burden.

"Yes... Master..."

She nodded obediently, her eyes slightly red.

Seeing her like this, Lin Yuan's heart softened.

He walked over and gently stroked her head:

" good, wait for me to come back."

Su Waner nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation.

Master said... wait for him to come back.

That meant he would come back for her!

Thinking of this, a sweetness surged in Su Waner's heart.

She had already completely become dependent on this man.

"Let's go."

Lin Yuan called out and led Xia Bingli away from the Shelter.

Su Waner stood at the entrance, watching them leave.

Not until their figures disappeared into the ruins did she turn away reluctantly.